The effect of maternal dose on lead retention in suckling rats

Lead (Pb) transfer from mother to litter was investigated at the late stage of lactation after a single intrapitoneal injection of 2.0 microgram Pb/ml marked with 203Pb. After 48 hr almost 20% of the maternal dose of 203 Pb was found in the litter, and about 0.6 and 0.2 of the injected dose was found in the liver and kidneys of suckling rats, respectively. Similar whole-body retention was observed earlier in suckling rats after a 20 times lower dose of stable lead was injected intravenously into their mothers.